NSPCC - Help and advice - Your family - Mental health problems

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Mental health problems

Parents with mental health problems

A lot of people don't understand mental illness very well, and are embarrassed by it. That can make it difficult for ill people and their friends and families to seek help. But mental health problems are actually very common - at any one time at least one in six people in the UK can be experiencing them. About 40% of people diagnosed with mental illness have at least one child who lives with them.

Protecting children

Many parents care very well for their children, despite being unwell. But for some, their illness can affect their ability to give the children all they need to grow and develop well, both physically and emotionally. These children are considered to be children in need and health, education and social services all work together to provide help and support for the whole family.

Occasionally, children are at risk of suffering significant harm because of their parent's illness. In this situation, the Children Act 1989 states that the children's needs are paramount, and the local authority will ensure that the children are safe.

If you think you may have a mental health problem or you're worried about someone else, it's very important to contact your GP so that you can get help, advice and treatment.

Postnatal depression

Postnatal depression is a very common problem.

between 50 and 80 per cent of all mothers may have "postnatal blues"
of these, up to 22 per cent may experience depression
only a very small number go on to develop very severe depression.

Some signs of depression are:

loss of enjoyment and interest
feeling depressed
lack of energy and feeling exhausted
lack of self-esteem and self-confidence
feelings of guilt and pessimism.

These come at a time when mothers feel they should be happy and fulfilled, which can make it more difficult to admit to the problem and seek help.

If you are feeling depressed, it's important to contact your GP and Health Visitor for advice and treatment. Other family members should be helpful and supportive, for the baby's sake as well as the mother's. It's very important that a baby feels safe and secure in the first few weeks of its life, and an adult needs to provide this security.

Young people with mental health problems

Children can have mental health problems too - between 10 and 20 per cent of children and young people under 18 have experienced such problems. This can be very distressing for the child, parents and family. Like adults, they can vary from common disorders to serious mental illnesses.

If you're worried about your child, contact your GP. It is also often helpful to talk with teachers and other professional people who know your child. They may be able to give you help and advice.

Treatment for children with a wide variety of mental disorders is provided by Children and Adolescent Mental Health Teams.

Useful contacts:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
http://www.mind.org.uk
http://www.sane.org.uk
http://www.rethink.org
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/mental/

MACA (Mental Aftercare Association).
Tel: 0207 436 6194
Email: maca.bs@maca.org.uk
Website: http://www.maca.org.uk

Winston's Wish
Tel: 0845 20 30 40 5
Email: info@winstonswish.org.uk
Website: http://www.winstonswish.org.uk

Young Minds
Tel: 0207 336 8445
Email: enquiries@youngminds.org.uk
Website: http://www.youngminds.org.uk